West Bromwich Albion are having a decent Premier League season this time out. Well, no one expected them to make the headlines to be fair and they have not done that. However, The Baggies have not fared liked a typical Tony Pulis side either. With summer signings Nacer Chadli and Matt Phillips impressing of late, the Baggies look ready now to take the leap to the top half.
It is a public knowledge that West Brom were hot on the tail of Leicester City wideman Jeffrey Schlupp throughout the summer and had four bids ranging between £9m and £12m rejected by the Premier League holders. Schlupp himself was very eager to move on from the King Power in search of more first-team opportunities but the Foxes were adamant on holding on to as many of their title-winning squad as possible.
However, Schlupp’s struggle for first-team opportunities has become more intense this season. Formerly, it was just Marc Albrighton ahead of him in the pecking order on the left flank and now Ahmed Musa is also there. The 23-year-old needs a move desperately in order to get playing time and he could get that at Hawthorns. Schlupp has only started one Premier League game so far this campaign and featured just once in the Champions League so far.
The Express and Star claim that the Baggies are likely to renew their interest in the Leicester City winger once again in January and this time a deal looks far more likely. The Ghana international is exactly the kind of player who would thrive under Tony Pulis. He is strong, he is quick and he is very athletic. On top of that, he is very much adaptable and his versatility puts his stocks even higher.
Schlupp is predominantly a left winger but is also equally capable of playing at left-back. The Ghana international can take on opponent defenders with his pace and is a deadly crosser. His brilliant recovery pace and physicality makes him well capable of playing as a left full-back.
He has started just one game in the Champions League this season and has won as many as 4 aerials duels in that game. Such aerials powers will not go in vain under a manager like Pulis.
Still only 23, the Ghana international has his best days are well ahead of him. He needs to play regular first-team football in order to fulfil his potential and he will get that at Hawthorns.
West Brom have been playing either Alan Nyom or Brendan Galloway at left-back this season. The former is predominantly a right-back while the latter is only on loan. The Baggies do not have enough quality on the wide attacking roles also. So, for both parties, this move makes absolute sense.
